Inspiring Daily Life

Month: August 2016

Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil after Sao Paulo, famous for its beautiful beaches. Communities is also famous likes to party and dance. The town is in my mind, offers excitement and appeal is endless.

Visit Peak of the Mountain Called Sugarloaf
Rio de Janeiro means River in January. This name was given by the Portuguese voyagers when first discovered the Guanabara Bay in 1502. In the bay, too, he found a granite hill 395 meters high, which has now become one of the major tourist destinations in Rio. Because of its shape resembles rock candy, the hill called Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf).

To reach the summit of Sugarloaf, there is a cable car that can accommodate up to 75 passengers. By paying the ticket around 22 US dollars per person, we can see a 360-degree view of Rio. When the cable car uphill, view of the harbor at the foot of Sugarloaf began to appear. Sailboats decorate the bay, gardens beautiful city gives coolness between buildings skyscrapers lined up neatly adorn the sides of the coast and the foothills.

After five minutes, we arrive at the first stop, Morro de Açúcar. This stone hill 220 meters high. From this hill we can see the towering Sugarloaf. From a close distance, it was clear to us why the rock is so famous granite. This hill is formed of a granite stone intact. It is amazing to see the boulder as big and as high as that!

Our next cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf. From there we can see the famous beaches. On the southeast side, the white sands of Copacabana beach stretching along 4.5 km, followed by Coastal Ipanema and Leblon Beach.

In the north, we can see the whole face of the Guanabara Bay. It contained dozens of small islands that adorn the blue waters of the bay and the Niteroi Bridge which divides two Guanabara Bay along the 100 km. This bridge is a connecting door between Rio and Niteroi. While in the west, the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon separates the mountainous and coastal areas.

To the Top of Corcovado
Corcovado mountain is the highest mountain peak in Rio. To reach the top, there are two alternatives. First, take a taxi, bus or private vehicles. Secondly, with the antique train ride from Station Corcovado.

Our choice fell on the historic antique wagon. Construction and railway station started in 1884 as a means of transportation for the workers during the construction of a statue of Christ the Redeemer and also as a means of transporting various building materials.

Provided four trains, each of which has two carriages. Each train can accommodate up to 360 passengers. We do not have to wait too long, because the departure is done every 30 minutes. The journey to the top of Corcovado within 3.8 km from the station begins to pass through the housing population, followed by the thick foliage of the Tijuca Forest.

After a 20 minute drive, we arrived at the station. To reach the statue of Christ the Redeemer, we had to climb 225 stairs. Throughout the journey through the rungs, there are several gift shop and cafeteria. We also had lunch while enjoying the green landscape Tijuca Forest.

At the top, we can see the statue of Christ de Redeemer stands firmly as high as 38 meters. This statue looked far into the future, with arms wide open, as if he were to bless and protect Rio. We can also see the whole face of the city, the green of the Tijuca Forest, a beautiful lagoon in the city center, beaches with white sand seductive, buildings skyscrapers crowding the city center, up to dozens of favelas, slums typical Rio

Urban Forest Tijuca
We explored the Tijuca Forest, after looking at it from a distance. Tijuca forest is a forest in the middle of the largest city in the world. Therefore, this forest is called urban forest. And an area of 32 km² of forest, the forest home of hundreds of species of flora and fauna are protected. We went with some other tourists towards Tijuca with open-topped Jeep. In just 15 minutes, we arrived at the gate of the forest.

Tijuca Forest’s history began in the mid-19th century. At that time, Rio has a shortage of water resources, as a result of the expansion of coffee plantations. The ruler of that time decided to carry out reforestation, as well as prohibit the construction of homes in forest areas. After making these forests as protected areas, water resource depletion problem was solved.

Foliage gives coolness and we can hear the chirping of birds and the occasional boisterous sound of monkeys playing in the trees. This forest is very clean well maintained. We took time to enjoy the beauty of the waterfall in the forest. Clear water hitting the rocks and flows through the woods.

We are also tracking through the woods, walking along a small river between towering trees. Not feel at all that we are only a few minutes away from the metropolitan bustle

Sailing to Angra dos Reis
We also visited the islands of Angra dos Reis, which means the archipelago of the kings. This region is very famous for its beautiful beaches and 365 small islands that meets the Gulf of Angra dos Reis. The distance is about 150 km from the city. After two hours of travel by tour bus, we arrived at the port city of Angra dos Reis. The harbor is full of traditional fishing boats lined up neatly along the marina. At the end of the marina, has been waiting for a traditional sailing boat ready to take us around to enjoy the beauty of the bay.

Soon after the boat set sail, frenetic music filled the air ship. The local tourists began move body to the music. For residents of Brazil, dancing is already ingrained. Along the way, they nonstop swaying and singing. Exciting!

Our cruise around the bay of Angra dos Reis takes about three hours. We were treated to a view of dozens of small islands dotted white sand beaches. We also stopped at some islands to enjoy the freshness of the sea and down the beach with soft sand.

Copacabana and Girl from Ipanema
My mind was ‘filled’ by bossa nova melody two songs which are very famous, Copacabana and Girl from Ipanema. Both are also the name of the beach in Rio. Although the songs made famous Copacabana by Barry Manillow it actually tells the story of a famous club in New York, his own club name obviously refers to the Copacabana Beach. Located in the city center, every day the place is invaded by hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Atlantica on the highway side that touches the coast, built sidewalks wide enough. Every few hundred meters, there are stalls of fresh drinks and snacks. On weekends, the whole beach full of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. It seemed the entire city ‘spilled’ on the beach!

In addition to the sidewalk, also provided a jogging track and a special lane skateboard. Citizens of Rio love sports. Every afternoon, the line was congested by people jogging and skateboarder. At the point, we also see a lot of beach volleyball court and some special post that provided the municipality to exercise the body builder for free.

Our hotel is located on the beach in contact with Ipanema Beach, the beach that became the central gathering of young people. To get to Ipanema, we stayed on foot. Ipanema beach developed into a tourist area after Copacabana beach, so the hotel-his hotel looks more modern and younger.

Foods Tips:
Two blocks from the beach, there is a road that is filled with a variety of restaurants, stores, and shopping malls. At lunch time we are waiting for. There are two types of places to eat in Brazil. The first, restaurant. The standard portion of the food there is quite large, it was one portion for two people is more than enough.

The second type is buffet à pesos, which means the food is weighed. The first time we found a place to eat this kind is when we stroll in one of the shopping centers in the area of Botafogo, Rio Sul Shopping, not far from Copacabana Beach. In the cafeteria area, I am interested in seeing the crowd of shoppers was weighing plate of food in front of the cashier. It was the first time I saw the payment of food in that way.

According to my husband, in Angola, he also never eaten at a restaurant like that. Angola is Portuguese-speaking African countries, because the country is also a former Portuguese colony, as well as Brazil. Perhaps, payment of food to be weighed is one of the Portuguese heritage.

Finally buffet à peso became my favorite place, because it gives us the freedom to determine the type of favorite food and the portion corresponding to the ability of the stomach respectively. In the buffet à pesos, meals are served buffet. Price per 100 grams, between 3-4 estate, not including drinks. Meanwhile, the average weight is 500 grams My plate is quite economical for the size of Rio de Janeiro

The earlier book tickets, the cheaper the price. Summer in Rio began in November through April. If you want to witness the excitement of the Rio carnival, then came in early March.

Feel free to use public transport so that more economical holiday and can interact with local residents. Unfortunately, not many people speak English. So, get ready to use the Tarzan language.Do not forget to look around the unique bikini seller here.